Latching assembly for windows and the like



Dec. 22, 1953 w. J. WOODHAMS LATCHING ASSEMBLY FOR W INDOWS AND THE LIKE Filed 001;. 30, 1950 INVENTOR Walter J.Woodho.m$

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 LATCHING ASSEMBLY Fort wmnows AND THE LIKE Walter J. Woodhams, Marshall; Mich assignor Mich.

to Woodlin Metal Products Company, Marshall,

Application October so, 1959; Serial No; 192,910

This invention relates broadly to a window opening and holding-- assembly, and in its specific phases has special reference to a window stay and latch therefor.

Windows in house trailers, in the past, have been conventionally hinged at the top edge and controlled with an operating arm having a notched lower edge freely engageable with the bottom of a slit in a wall cross bar through which the operating arm passed. That type of construction gave trouble in puffy-wind weather due to the operating arm unlatching and allowing the window to move about its pivotal edge. Such mechanism, moreover, was limited to use on windows which-were hinged along their upper edge. It wasa recognition of this situation, and a knowledge that there was nothing on the market which would overcome these shor'tco'm ings, which led tqtheconception and development of the presentinvention.

Accordingly among the objects of this invention is the provision of a novel and'improved assembly which includes a pivotally mounted window having an operating arm or stay and a holding or latching means for releasably securingsaid arm in adjusted position. Y

Another importantobject of theinvention is to provide a novel device of this characterwhich is equally eifective in operation with the window supported at a side edge or at the top or bottom edge.

Further the invention has for one important object the provisionof a spring -operatedholding or latching means arranged to releasably secure the operating arm in its adjusted position no matter whether the arm is connected to the window sash by a pivot having a horizontal axis or by a pivot having a vertical axis.

'Still another important object of the invention is to provide'a novel spring actuatedlatch particularly adapted for use and operationwith' the other elements of this assembly.

Yet further the invention has for an object the provision of a-novel spring arrangement for a latch of the kind herein used.

Still further objects and advantages of this invention will appear "as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter-"fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out team. (01. 252-266) In the annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a window sash and the opening or frame for the sash, the present invention being shown as applied thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlargedfront vview of the latch or holding mechanism with the front wall of same removed and the side and top wall shown in section. a I 7 Figure 3 is a perspective view showing. the rear face of the latching deviceand a portion of the operating arm.

Figure 4 is a perspective View similar to Figure 3 but showing the front of the latching device.

In the embodiment of the invention as here shown,- there is illustrated a wall or frame 10 having a window opening ll provided therein A sash I2 is of proper size and shape to effect closing of the opening II, and this sash is connected along one edge to the wall or frame it by hinges, one of which isshown at E3, securely screwed to the wall and sash.

A channel bar 14 is'provided with flattened ends [5' which are secured to opposite portions of the sash l2 by" screws IS, the bar thus extending across the sash perpendicularly to the hinged edge. At I] is an'operating or opening arm having acurved end 18' fitting between the flanges of the channel [4 and p'ivotally connected'theretofiby a rivet l9 somewhat spaced from the hinged edge of thesash. Along the edge remote from the hinged edge of the sash the arm I] is provided with a series of spaced notches 2H and the free end of'the arm is provided with a knob 12! which serves-both as a convenienthand grip" and, as Will -be presently explained,- as a limitstop. H V g Across the opening H extends a channel bar 22 having flattened ends 23 secured tothe' wall by screws 24. The latch mechanism, which is shown best in Figure 2, 3, and 4, has an elongated back plate- 25 having parallelside edges 26. This back'plate has'a screw-receiving opening 21 at each end'and also has one elongated slot 28 on its center between the openings 21. Mounted on this backplate'is a housing, which maybe stampedfrom'sheet metal, formed; with a front wall 29 and end wallstfi extending from the ends of the frontwallto'the back plate-'25 to hold thewall 29 spaced from the plate 25. The end walls 30: are each provided with an outwardly extending foot 3| 'havinga screwopening' 32 registering :with a respective opening 21 in back'plate 25.. The; housing .side walls 33 .a1so extend over .the edges :26 of the back plate- 25 and are there bent to form flanges 34 fitting V 1 3 against the back face of the back plate. Screws 35 extend through the screw openings 21 and 32 and hold the latch structure to the channel bar 22. One end wall 30 of the housing, its front wall 29 and foot 3] are provided with a slot 38 aligned in front of the slot 28 in back plate 25, this end of the .housing being that remote from the edg of the opening H adjacent which the hinges I3 are mounted. The channel bar 22 is provided with a slot registering with the slot 28, and the operating arm I! extends through the channel bar 22 and slots 28 and 36. Knob 2i prevents the withdrawal of the arm l'l through the slots and thus acts as a limit stop to the movement of the operating arm. When the operating arm is thus extended through these slots the ends of theslots 28 and36 remote from the hinges may be selectively engaged in one of the notches 20.

In order to provide against accidental disengagement of the bar notches from the end of the slot, there is fitted slidably in thehousing a substantially T-shaped keeper 3! the head of which engages against the unnotched or back edge of the operating arm I]. Also, there is fitted in the housing a compression spring, preferably in the form of a coiled compression spring 38 bent longitudinally to U-shape having leg portions of equal length engaging against and retained by the side walls-33 and in curved portion or bight engaging against the end wall remote from that having the slot 36 therein. This spring is of such length that its extremities engage the arms of the keeper 3'! and thus force it into engagement with the operating arm I? U bracket 39, which is conventionally joined to channel bar 22 as by means of a screw 40. Upon it being desired to open the window, the knob 2L is grasped, the arm l1 disengaged from hook bracket 39, and swung away from the bar 22 and pushed outwardly through the housing until the sash is in desired position. The raising of the arm 11 during this procedure moves the keeper 3! and compresses the spring 38 so that notches 20 do not engage the bottom edge of slots 28 and 3B. When the window is sufficiently open the upward biasing stress on arm I! is relaxed and the arm moved slightly in a longitudinal manner whereupon a notch 20 will engage on the slot ends and the sash will be releasably latched securely in position.

Obviously the latching spring will eifect proper action upon the arm I! whether the sash be mounted so as to be hinged at its top, its bottom, or a side.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a window assembly of the class wherein there is a window opening and a window sash having one edge portion hinged to the wall at one edge of said opening, a cross bar connecting the hinged edge portion of said sash with the opposite edge portion of said sash, a second cross 4 bar connecting wall portions at like portions of said window opening, and an operating arm having one end pivoted to said first bar and having spaced notches along one edge, the combination with such window and its operating arm or a housing mounted on said second cross bar and having an opening therein through which said arm passes, said housing being engageable by the notches of said operating arm selectively at one end of said opening for positive anchoring of said arm, and a keeper in said housing, said keeper U urging said arm into notch engaging position.

2. In a window assembly of the class wherein there is a window opening and a window sash having one edge portion hinged to the wall at one edge of said opening, a cross bar connecting the hinged edge portion of said sash with the opposite edge portion of said sash, a second cross bar connecting wall portions at like portions of said window opening, and an operating arm having one end pivoted to said first bar and having spaced notches along one edge, the combination with such window and its operating arm of a housing mounted on said second cross bar and having an opening therein through which said arm passes, said housing being engageable by the notches of said operating arm selectively at one end of said opening for positive anchoring of said arm, a keeper in said housing, said keeper urging said arm into notch engaging position, and spring means in said housing urging said keeper against the edge of said arm opposite its notched edge.

3. In a window assembly of the class wherein there is a window opening and a window sash having one edge portion hinged to the wall at one edge of said opening, a cross bar connecting the hinged edge portion of said sash with the opposite edge portion of said sash, a second cross bar connecting wall portions at like portions of said window opening, and an operating arm having one end pivoted to said first bar and having spaced notches along one edge, the combination with such window and its operating arm of a housing mounted on said second cross bar and having an opening therein through which said arm passes, said housing being engageable by the notches of said operating arm selectively at one end of said opening for positive anchoring of said arm, a keeper in said housing, said keeper urging'said arm into notch engaging position, and spring means in said housing urging said keeper against the edge of said arm opposite its notched edge, said keeper being substantially of T-shape with its head engaging said arm and said spring means pressing approximately equally against both arms of the head of said keeper opposite the side thereof in contact with said arm.

4. In a window assembly of the class wherein there is a window opening and a window sash having one edge portion hinged to the wall at one edge of said opening, a cross bar connecting the hinged edge portion of said sash with the opposite edge portion of said sash, a second cross bar connecting wall portions at like portions of said window opening, and an operating arm having one end pivoted to said first bar and having spaced notches along one edge, the combination with such window and its operating arm of a housing mounted on said second cross bar and having an opening therein through which said arm passes, said housing being engageable by the notches of said operating arm selectively at one end of said opening for positive anchoring of said arm, a keeper in said housing, said keeper urging said arm into notch engaging position, and spring means in said housing urging said keeper against the edge of said arm opposite the notched edge of same, said keeper being substantially of T-shape with its head engaging said arm at the edge thereof opposite said notches and the spring means pressing approximately equally against both arms of the head of said keeper opposite the side thereof in contact with said arm, said spring means consisting of a coiled compression spring bent into U-shape with approximately equal length legs, the legs of said spring fitting and being supported between the sides of said housing and the bight of said spring fitting against and being supported by one end of said housing.

5. Latching means for a window including an operating arm having one of its edges notched and the opposite edge unbroken, said means comprising a housing provided with side and end walls, said housing having an opening therethrough between said side walls for the passage oi said arm, the notches of said arm being selectively engageable with said housing at one end of said opening for positive anchoring of said arm, a substantially T-shaped keeper slidably fitted in said housing between its side walls, the head or" said keeper being adapted to engage and press against the unbroken edge of said arm, and spring means engaging against each arm of the T-head of said keeper to urge same against the unbroken edge of said arm to normally maintain the latter in notch engaging position.

6. Latching means for a Window including an operating arm having one of its edges notched and the opposite edge unbroken, said means comprising a housing provided with side and end walls, said housing having an opening therethrough between said side walls and extending completely through one of said end walls for the passage of said arm, the notches of said arm being selectively engageable with said housing at the end of said opening extending through said end wall for positive anchoring of said arm, a substantially T-.shaped keeper slidably fitted in said housing between its side walls, the head of said keeper being adapted to engage and press against the unbroken edge of said arm, and spring means engaging against each arm of the T-head of said keeper to urge same against the unbroken edge of the said arm to normally maintain the latter in notch engaging position, said spring means consisting of a single coiled compression spring bent substantially into U-shape to fit around the end of the stem of said keeper with its end between the stem and side walls of said housing and bearing against the arms of said T-head keeper, the bight of said spring bearing against an end wall of said housing.

WALTER J. WOODHAMS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,547,674 Nelson Nov. 5, 1923 1,893,128 Calvert May 9, 1932 2,142,690 Goserud Jan. 3, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,850 Great Britain Feb. 25, 1899 282,564 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1927 

